Angry Woman Allegedly Burns Boyfriend's Daughters to Death

The police have arrested Mbalumen Ikyenge for allegedly setting the house of Aondoyima Ierkwagh on fire. This tragic incident happened in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, leading to the death of his two daughters.

Udeme Edet, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, confirmed the news to the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi on Tuesday.

Mrs Edet mentioned that the police received a report from the girls' father. He said that someone set his house on fire.

"I don’t really know if it was a lovers’ quarrel that resulted in the act, but the report we got from the father of the girls was that someone set his house on fire," the police spokesperson said.

The victims were just four and six years old. "Neighbours tried to rescue the girls by rushing them to the hospital, but they died while receiving treatment. So, I can’t say whether it was a lovers’ quarrel," she added.

Mrs Edet confirmed that Ms Ikyenge had been arrested and that the investigation is ongoing. But some witnesses say the event came from a relationship fight.

The witnesses, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, shared that the suspect went to her boyfriend Mr Ierkwagh's house on Sunday night but was asked to leave. They said she refused to go after thinking another woman was in the house with him.

The witnesses also claimed that Mr Ierkwagh locked his two daughters in a separate round hut before going to sleep in another hut. Around midnight, the suspect allegedly set the hut on fire, believing another woman was inside. But the fire spread and caught the hut where the two girls were sleeping.

Neighbours managed to rescue the children and rushed them to the hospital. Sadly, they later died from severe burns.

Ms Edet said the police command is looking into what happened. She urged everyone to stay calm and let the investigation proceed.